Stephen Jamieson INC-5 is the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee ( INC ) for the UN Global Plastics Treaty that took place in Busan , South Korea , from 25 November to 1 December , 2024 .

This session marks the conclusion of negotiations that began in November 2022 . Previous sessions , INC-1 through INC-4 , have progressively built towards this final stage , focusing on various aspects of the treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy for plastics .

Haley Lowry The world has reacted so strongly to plastics pollution that the UN and global leaders responded by creating INC , a critical UN-led forum that is bringing together multiple governments to agree on solutions that will eliminate the leakage of plastic waste into the environment , help scale a sustainable , circular economy for plastics , and recognise the vital role of plastics in ensuring a low-carbon future .

The fifth meeting – INC-5 – concluded with an agreement to resume negotiations at another INC session ( INC-5.2 ).

Anke Boykin INC-5 was the final session that had been scheduled at the start of the process in 2022 . Unfortunately , and disappointingly , an agreement was not reached , and governments decided to schedule an additional round of negotiations at a date and location to be determined in 2025 .

My hope is that the momentum gained from INC-5 and the overall process will lead to a final agreement at INC-5.2 next year . But to achieve this , more governments must recognise the stakes and align with what most countries and industry see as necessary action to create meaningful change . The world should not give up on this once-in-a-generation opportunity .

is the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee ( INC ) for the UN Global Plastics Treaty

66 January 2025